Day 136/365
It’s Cabin Fever February at the Arts Market on College!!
You might be asking yourself what, exactly, does this mean? What’s Cabin Fever February?? It’s an awesome sale with a handful of vendors, offering up to 50% off their entire space!!
As you can see, the entire Sprouts Press booth is listed at 30% off!! So come on in and pick out your favourite handbound journal. Then cozy up with a blanket and some tea while you fill your book with dreams of springtime!!
Day 135/365
After posting my latest instalment of Use Your Journal, I realized that there were only two Starburst Journals in my Etsy shop. I’m happy to say that I’ve taken some time to put these ones together and list them online.
These are quite possibly my favourite books to bind. I love the possibilities for covers and the stitching patterns created on the spine. Even better? It lays flat when open!
This book is the first of two that are full fabric covers. And it’s my own handmade bookcloth! I’m proud of these journals, the full fabric makes them very tactile. Perfect for a cozy afternoon of sketching/journalling/album making with a cup of tea by a toasty fire.
Day 133/365
There’s a new style of journal in my Etsy shop! Please welcome the Medium Journal with Ribbon! This is my first venture into the world of handmade bookcloth. I have to say, it is liberating. To be able to use any fabric I want (minus stretchy and see-through materials; there were some trials and errors!) and turn it into bookcloth opens so many doors.
Of course, I went right for the cotton linen and linen-like fabrics right off the bat, they are so gorgeous!
The journals themselves are hardcover case-bound, housing a selection of blank paper and brown kraft paper. And, as a bit of fun, each book has a half page map, making it appropriate for travel as well. (Makes a one of a kind keepsake after it’s filled with memories from a trip!)
Some of the journals have brass corners, mainly just the red journals, which also use outdoor fabric as the bookcloth. Yes, these are the toughest journals in the series!!
The size is not too big, but not too small; perfect for stashing in a day bag or backpack. All of these designs have ribbon bookmarks, essential to keep your place so you can find it quickly when inspiration strikes on the go!
Available in Ruby Red, Grass Green and Warm Grey.
Day 128/365
There are some new journals in my Etsy shop. I’m pretty proud of these journals, they are beautiful and functional. I love how they feel in hand; substantial and serious. Housing 220 pages (front and back) these are working journals, meant for your thoughts and ideas!
A close up shows attention to details; like the pop of colour on the spine covering. Who doesn’t love a bit of blue!? Each book is unique, a natural result of hand-dying the washi paper covers. No two are the same!
Interested in learning about the process to hand-dye paper? Check out this post and this post I wrote about my experience.
More of these gems are being added over the next couple of days. To see them all, click here.
Day 127/365
Day 122/365
I’m looking forward to teaching a new bookbinding workshop this weekend. This Sunday is Creative Bookbinding at Little House in the City!
If you’ve been thinking of trying your hand a bookbinding this is the class to take the plunge! No previous experience is required and everyone leaves with a finished project. And if your Valentine appreciates your crafty side, it’ll make the perfect gift!
When: Sunday February 8, 2015 1pm – 4pm
Where: Little House in the City, 555 Parliament Street, Toronto
To find more information and to register, go here.
To see my full schedule of upcoming workshops, go here.
Day 117/365
Today I’ve been working on an upgraded version of the Mini Book Necklace. The books themselves will remain the same, just the rest of it will be a bit more fancy. 
There will be beads, longer chain, some charms and tassels! (yes, tassels!!) I really like the idea of the mini book as a pendant, as an object and a functional book. I also really like the idea of the longer chain as it means writing in it while wearing it!
A couple of prototypes, in the right direction, but not sure they’re quite there yet, what do you think?
Day 111/365
There are still a few spots left in the Book Making Workshop I’m giving at Graven Feather. This is the class to take if you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own journal.
I’ll show you how to hand decorate covers, and then how to bind it into your very own journal! Everyone leaves with a finished project!
When: Saturday February 7, 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West
Cost: $65, materials included
*You must pre-register to participate.
**Can’t make it on February 8? No problem, more dates have just been booked! The workshop is also running on March 7 and April 11!
***And if none of those dates work, just keep an eye on my Workshops page.
For more information and to register, please go here.
Day 107/365
Join me and learn to design and craft your own hand bound journal! This workshop will introduce you to the basic process of hand decorating paper for use as book covers, and then how to incorporate it into a hand bound book using the Longstitch Linkstitch technique.
No previous art experience is required.
When: Saturday February 2, 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
For more information and to register, please go here.
Day 96/365
Today in the studio it’s all about Valentines Day! Many shades of pink, red and white are floating around here, all in the name of books of course.
A sneak peek at some new designs for a series of Star Cross’d Lovers Book Ornaments.
With inside pages from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, of course. 
Keep your eyes peeled for these to be released in my Etsy shop next week!
Sprouts Press 